Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Walt Yowarsky was initially drafted to play baseball by the Cincinnati Reds. Still, he opted for football instead, starring at the University of Kentucky under legendary coach Bear Bryant. He earned MVP honors in the 1951 Sugar Bowl, leading Kentucky to a stunning upset victory that snapped top-ranked Oklahoma’s 31-game winning streak. Selected 29th overall in the 1951 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins, Yowarsky showcased his versatility by playing eight positions across four teams—the Redskins, Detroit Lions, New York Giants, and San Francisco 49ers—during his six-year NFL career. He was a member of the Giants’ 1956 Championship team and later embarked on a decades-long career as a coach and scout, including a long tenure with the Dallas Cowboys. His impact on the game spanned over 50 years before he passed away in 2014 at the age of 86.
